RIALTO — The Carter High football team shrugged off a sluggish start Thursday night against Bloomington to defeat the Bruins 36-14 in a Skyline League game.
“We started off a little slow,” Carter coach Felipe Salas said of the homecoming victory. “But the first touchdown gave us some life. We moved some guys around this week and I think we finally found our groove.”
Bloomington (3-4 overall, 1-1 in league) looked impressive in marching 70 yards in four plays to score on Israel Ramirez’s 2-yard run with 9:52 left in the first quarter. A 69-yard run by Derek Fraembs (153 yards on 17 carries) set up the score.
But it was all Carter after that, as the Lions (4-3, 2-0) used their speed and efficient blocking to overwhelm the Bruins.
Deshalon Allen’s 69-yard touchdown catch from Raymond Rubio helped Carter tie the game at 8 with 8:14 left in the first half.
“I knew that I had to go out there and make a play and get us back in the game,” Allen said. “I’m just playing ball and trying to make it to the next level.”
Carter then recovered an onside kick, and the Lions made the Bruins pay with 6:58 left in the half when Andre Clark scored on a 7-yard run for a 15-8 lead.
Bloomington gambled on its next possession, going for a first down on fourth-and-1 from its own 21. Carter stuffed the Bruins and the Lions took over. The Lions scored in one play, when Drelon Allen (younger brother of Deshalon) scored on an 18-yard run to up the Carter lead to 22-8.
The Carter offensive line of Daniel Salguero, Humberto Quijas, Jose Barboza, Rockie Amaya, and Carlos Quijada dominated the banged-up Bruins most of the night.
“On that first drive we ran the ball really well,” Barboza said. “We just open the holes and the running backs fly threw them. Four of us are seniors on the offensive line and the other one (Salguero) is a junior.”
Bloomington was missing Dylan Fraembs (brother of Derek) and a few other starters due to injury.
The Lions began their next possession at their own 49. Deshalon Allen made quick work of that with a 51-yard scoring run with 1:20 left in the first half. The Lions led 29-8 at the intermission.
Carter made sure it was a happy homecoming on its first possession of the second half. The Lions drove 57 yards to score on Drelon Allen’s 10-yard run to make it 36-8.
Bloomington scored again late in the game on Ramirez’s 12-yard pass to Eduardo Guzman.
“Injuries killed us,” said Bloomington coach Rick Salazar, who noted that offensive lineman Fatafehi Akau, two-way lineman Steven Davis, and Dylan Fraembs were all sidelined by injury.
“Without those guys, it’s a tough cover,” Salazar said. “We started OK, but the back-ups aren’t the same as the starters.”
Deshalon Allen rushed for 111 yards on eight carries and caught one pass for 69 yards to lead the way for Carter.
